Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Spurs’ Target, Sweeney, Signs Extension with Wimbledon

By Alexander Balano

COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Mauricio Pochettino Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Colchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Weston Homes Community Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
COLCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Mauricio Pochettino Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Colchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Weston Homes Community Stadium on January 30, 2016 in Colchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ryan Sweeney and AFC Wimbledon have agreed to a contract extension after Spurs and West Ham were keen on signing the 18-year-old defender.

Spurs and West Ham were reportedly rumored to be eyeing Ryan Sweeney from AFC Wimbledon, but amid these recent transfer talks, the League Two side have decided to end any speculation of a potential move when both sides agreed to a new deal to extend the 18-year-old’s stay.

The London Evening Standard is following up what was originally reported by the Mirror yesterday with quotes from the defender and Wimbledon’s manager, Neal Ardley. First, let’s take a look what this contract extension means to the Under-19 Ireland international.

Related Story: AFC Wimbledon's Ryan Sweeney is Tottenham's Litmus Test

Ryan Sweeney’s boyhood club is AFC Wimbledon and he’s been with them since he joined the English club as an eight-year-old before making his first team debut last April.

Since then, he’s gone on to make nine starts for the Dons this season, helping the team reach 10th place, while going the full 90 minutes in eight of those nine starts consecutively. Only missing one game on March 12 due to suspension (red card).

In essence, he’s Wimbledon through and through, so it’s understandable that while bigger clubs like Spurs and West Ham were snooping around to potentially sign the youngster. Sweeney’s heart is set on staying with the League Two outfit because it’s his club that he has rooted for as a child and one that he has wanted to play for.

“My heart is set here. I want to play for Wimbledon,” said Ryan Sweeney after signing a contract extension (quotes via London Evening Standard, video via Dons Player).

“The gaffer approached me and said he was going to offer me a new deal and I’m really pleased with it.”

“I think I’ve progressed this season and especially over the last 18 months I feel I’ve come a really long way and my game has improved as a defender and also on the ball.”

“Every day I come into training to try and better myself. Every time I put on the shirt I feel a sense of pride when I cross that white line.”

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley looks on prior to the Sky Bet League Two match between AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on April 3, 2015 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley looks on prior to the Sky Bet League Two match between AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on April 3, 2015 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) /

Dons’ manager, Neal Ardley, had this to say after Ryan Sweeney put pen to paper amid Spurs and West Ham’s interests recently.

“It’s great news and we want our young, talented players to be at the club for a long time and he certainly comes under the bracket of being a first team player now.”

“He’s hard to play against in training now and the strikers don’t enjoy playing against him. He knows what he has got to work upon.”

“For example, when he comes up against smaller, more nimble strikers, but he’s 6’4″, he’s left sided, he’s got good quality on the ball, he’s aggressive and he’s done a wonderful job for us in this run-in.”

More from Hotspur HQ

With Mauricio Pochettino having success with youth players since his arrival in north London, it’s not surprising that Ryan Sweeney happened to be on Spurs’ radar.

As a highly rated player, and a center-back, Pochettino is always looking for under-the-radar players — regardless of position — to help mold them for Tottenham whether they make the jump straight to the first team or go straight into the youth academy, if they’re able to sign them.

Now that Sweeney is extending his stay with AFC Wimbledon, Spurs will move on to any other players that they could be targeting. Most likely, Ryan Sweeney, had he somehow signed with Spurs, would go to the club’s youth academy and spend a year or two there before eventually making his way to the first team or go out on loan.

Next: Spurs' Kane Has Been in Tremendous Form this Season

With three solid center-backs on the first team right now in Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer, there’s not many open spots available to unseat any of them. Vertonghen and Alderweireld are the starters when healthy and Wimmer is the backup who will rotate in, when either player needs a rest.

Adding in — potentially Cameron Carter-Vickers — makes the central defense strong at just four players. Highly rated or not, Ryan Sweeney would eventually have a tough time making it through this group if signed. So not being able to sign the 18-year-old isn’t necessarily a loss because he chose to remain with his boyhood club instead.